Central African Republic has experienced a series of violent political crises over the past twenty years. Since 2012 this landlocked country has faced political upheaval and sectarian violence. Many human rights violations have been perpetrated, and women and girls have been targeted with sexual violence and exploitation.
Since 2018 the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation, Panzi Foundation DRC, Pierre Fabre Foundation and the Francophone Institute for Justice and Democracy have united with a common goal to improve holistic care for survivors of sexual violence.
The consortium is launching a four year project, starting in March 2020, with the support of the French Development Agency and the Pierre Fabre Foundation, and in collaboration with l’Hôpital de l’Amitié and l’Association des Femmes Juristes de Centrafrique (AFJC).
This project will improve access to quality holistic assistance for survivors of sexual violence, thanks to the creation of a one-stop-centre in Bangui. It is an example of a South-to-South learning approach, enabling a team of Panzi’s experts to work alongside their CAR colleagues to set up a holistic care system and enhance services for survivors.
It will also ensure a strong survivor involvement in the development of the project. An estimated 3000 survivors of sexual violence and women with serious reproductive health issues like fistula or prolapse will benefit from medical, psychosocial, legal and socio-economic assistance by the end of the project.
Dr Denis Mukwege is a world-renowned gynaecologist and human rights activist from east DRC. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his global efforts to end the use of rape as a weapon of war. Dr Mukwege founded Panzi Hospital and Foundation, and has become one of the world’s leading specialists on treating survivors of wartime sexual violence.
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